What Is the CITB Health and Safety Touchscreen Test and Why Do You Need It
In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about the CITB Health and Safety touchscreen test and how it can help you take the next step in your construction career.
What is the CITB Health and Safety touchscreen test?
The CITB Health, Safety and Environment test is designed to check that people working in construction have the essential knowledge needed to work safely on site.
It is a computer-based test, which is why you may hear it called the CITB touchscreen test. You answer a series of questions on a computer at an approved test centre.
The test covers important areas such as:
- Health and safety on construction sites
- Occupational health
- General site safety
- High-risk activities
- Environmental awareness
- Safe working practices
The exact questions you receive depend on the type of HS&E test you need to take.
CITB currently offers three main categories of test:
- Operatives – generally for people working in general construction site roles
- Specialists – for specific trades and specialist roles
- Managers and Professionals – for people working in management and professional positions
If you’re unsure which test you need, the appropriate test is generally linked to the type of construction card you are applying for. CITB recommends using the CSCS card finder if you are unsure or please do speak with us so we can assist.
Why do you need to take the CITB test?
The main reason for taking the CITB HS&E test is to demonstrate that you understand the basic health, safety and environmental requirements needed to work safely in construction.
Construction sites can be hazardous environments. Workers may be exposed to machinery, working at height, moving vehicles, hazardous substances, electrical equipment and many other potential risks.
Having a good understanding of safe working practices helps protect you, your colleagues and everyone else working on site.
What does the CITB test involve?
The HS&E tests contain 50 questions and you have 45 minutes to complete the test.
For the Operatives test, for example, the questions cover five core knowledge areas:
- Working environment
- Occupational health
- Safety
- High-risk activities
- Specialist knowledge
The pass mark for the Operatives test is 90%, meaning you need to answer at least 45 out of 50 questions correctly.
Specialist and Managers and Professionals tests also have a 90% pass mark, although the subject areas vary depending on the test you are taking.
Is the CITB test difficult?
The test isn’t designed to catch you out, but it does require preparation.
The questions are designed to test your knowledge of real health and safety situations that you may encounter in the construction industry. You therefore need more than just a basic understanding of construction — you need to know how to identify hazards and what the correct safe working procedure should be.
What happens if you fail?
If you don’t achieve the required pass mark, you won’t have passed the HS&E test and may need to take it again before progressing with your relevant card application.
That’s why it’s worth taking the time to revise properly before booking your test.
Don’t simply rely on your existing construction experience. Health and safety guidance, legislation and working practices can change, and CITB regularly updates its test and revision materials to reflect current requirements.
How do you book the CITB touchscreen test?
The HS&E test can be booked through CITB/Pearson VUE or, in some cases, through a local Internet Test Centre.
When booking, you’ll need to provide information such as your personal details, the type of test you want to take and your preferred test centre.
The current CITB-listed cost of the HS&E test is £23.50.
You should never pay more than what’s published on the CITB website.
Find an Internet Test Centre (ITC)
Although we are unable to offer the Touch Screen test here at our Training centre currently, we can certainly help with any booking assistance.
Why is the CITB test important?
Ultimately, the CITB Health and Safety touchscreen test isn’t just another box to tick.
It exists to help make sure people entering and working in the construction industry understand the importance of safe working practices.
For employers, having workers who have passed the HS&E test provides additional assurance that their workforce understands key health, safety and environmental principles. For workers, passing the test is an important step towards obtaining the relevant construction industry card and progressing their career.
Information in this article is based on current CITB guidance. Test requirements, fees and procedures can change, so always check the latest CITB guidance before booking your test.
